Week 7: Fungi and Parasites Flashcards

(47 cards)

1
Q

When was the The Rockefeller Sanitary Commission for the Eradication of
Hookworm Disease?

A

1909

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2
Q

What organisms are key contributors to human infections?

A

Eukaryotic organisms such as fungi, protozoa, and parasites.

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3
Q

How do Eukaryotic organisms differ from bacteria and viruses?

A

Their structure, their life cycles, and their interactions with human hosts.

Ex. Cells contain a membrane-bound nucleus, and organisms can be unicellular or multicellular

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4
Q

What are Fungi?

A

A diverse group of organisms that can range from unicellular yeasts to multicellular filamentous moulds and even large mushrooms

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5
Q

What is Candida albicans?

A

A naturally occurring fungus (yeast) that is typically found in small amounts on the human body

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6
Q

What sort of infections are caused by an overgrowth of Candida albicans?

A

Thrush
Vaginal yeast infection
Invasive candidiasis

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7
Q

What is Aspergillus?

A

Filamentous fungi found in soil and in decaying/moist vegetation

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8
Q

How many species of Aspergillus exist?

A

~180 species

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9
Q

Which Aspergillus species most commonly causes infections?

A

Aspergillus fumigatus

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10
Q

How do species of Aspergillus infect a person?

A

Through the lungs, sinuses, or burn wounds

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11
Q

Do most people who come into contact with Aspergillus spores get sick?

A

No

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12
Q

What is Coccidioidomycosis?

A

A fungal illness known as Valley Fever

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13
Q

How far can Coccidioidomycosis spores travel?

A

> 500 km in the wind

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14
Q

Who can Coccidioidomycosis infect?

A

Mostly humans, but also animals

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15
Q

What are the symptoms of a Coccidioidomycosis infection?

A

Similar to a respiratory infection (cough, fever, chest pain, fatigue).

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16
Q

What are Cryptococcus?

A

Cryptococcus species are
environmental fungi primarily found in tree hollows and avian excreta, with C. neoformans being
globally distributed and C. gattii more prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions.

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17
Q

How does an infection of Crytococcus occur?

A

Infection typically occurs through the inhalation of fungal spores or desiccated cells (dried out) from the environment, leading to pulmonary infections that can disseminate to the central nervous system (CNS), especially in immunocompromised individuals.

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18
Q

What is Pneumocystis jirovecii?

A

An opportunistic disease caused by the unicellular fungus

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19
Q

What is a parasite?

A

A parasite is an organism that lives on or in a host and gets its food from that host, though this eukaryotic species is different from bacteria, viruses, and fungi

20
Q

What are some types of parasites that impact human health?

A
  1. Protozoa
  2. Helminths such as nematodes (roundworms)
    trematodes (flukes)
    cestodes (tapeworms)
  3. Ectoparasites (bed bugs)
  4. Ticks
21
Q

What are Protozoa?

A

Single-celled organisms that can multiply to cause
serious infection

22
Q

What are the 2 routes of transmission for Protozoa?

A

Fecel-oral
Vectors (mosquitoes)

23
Q

What are some common Protozoan infections?

A

Cytosporidiosis
Giardiasis
Toxoplasmosis
Trichomoniasis

24
Q

What is Giardasis?

A

An enteric disease
that is caused by the parasite Giardia

25
What is the most common transmission route for Giardasis?
Humans typically become infected when they come into contact with the feces of an infected animal – typically in water, though can be spread from person to person
26
What is Cryptosporidiosis?
An enteric infection and is caused by the parasite Cryptosporidium
27
What is the mode of transmission for Cryptosporidium?
Water-related infection
28
What is Toxoplasmosis?
Caused by Toxoplasma gondii, a common human infection with an estimated half the global population being infected with the majority of cases being asymptomatic. Can be found in animals, birds, and soil
29
What are Helminths?
Helminths are among the largest parasites affecting humans, animals, and plants, with some species like the fish tapeworm (Dibothriocephalus) growing over 20 meters long.
30
What are the 4 groups Helminths can be divided into?
Nematoda Platyhelminths Pentastomida Acanthocelphala
31
What is different about the life cycle of Helminths?
Unlike bacteria and viruses, helminths have complex life cycles that can involve direct transmission, vector mediation, or ingestion by the host, however they do not replicate within the human host.
32
What is unique about Hemlinths reproduction?
They exhibit a range of reproductive strategies, including separate sexes and hermaphroditism, with some species even showing parthenogenetic reproduction, where females reproduce without males
33
What are Roundworms (nematodes)?
They are among the most common parasites in humans, particularly in areas with poor sanitation
34
What is the most common type of Nematode?
Enteric
35
What sort of relationship do Nematodes have with their host?
Most enteric nematodes have a balanced relationship with their human hosts, causing minimal disease with light infections. However, heavy worm loads can lead to significant health issues, including intestinal inflammation, blockage, and migration-related damage.
36
What is Ascariasis?
It is caused by the parasitic roundworm Ascaris lumbricoides, the most common worm parasite worldwide
37
What sort of populations are at risk of Ascariasis?
Populations at risk include those with poor food sanitation by consuming eggs found in contaminated soil
38
What did Dr. Giovanni Battista Grassi discover?
The transmission and life cycle of Ascaris
39
What are the two groups of Flatworms (Platyhelminthes)?
Tapeworms and flukes
40
What are Ectoparasites?
Parasites that live on the outside of the host
41
What are some examples of Ectoparasites?
Bed bugs Lice Scabies
42
What are Bed Bugs?
They are small, flat, and wingless, blood-feeding insects that have affected humans for thousands of years.
43
What are Lice?
Tiny, wingless parasites that live on the body, commonly found on the head, body, or pubic area.
44
What are the two types of Ticks?
Hard ticks (Ixodidae) Soft ticks (Argasidae)
45
What are Hard ticks (Ixodidae)?
Characterized by a hard shield on their back, these ticks are the most commonly encountered and include species like the Black-legged Tick and American Dog Tick.
46
What are Soft Ticks (Argasidae)?
These ticks have a more leathery appearance and are typically found in more specific habitats, such as bird nests or bat caves.
47
What is the Erythma Migrans Rash?
"Bullseye" rash that some people with Lyme disease will have